Pattern Energy Must Leave Molokai

News Release from www.IAlohaMolokai.com

The proposed $3-5 billion “Big” Wind project to build 90 huge wind turbines on Molokai and a billion-dollar undersea cable has come to a crashing halt.

Now that the Public Utilities Commission has ordered Hawaiian Electric (HECO) to stop this mega-project and restart it with new bidders, I Aloha Molokai (IAM) requests that Pattern Energy and its subcontractors and partners cease their activities on Molokai immediately.

In its attempt to force “Big” Wind on Molokai, Pattern Energy has acted under false pretenses, because it had no authority to be there. In numerous closed meetings it has attempted to split Molokai residents and damage the harmony of our island.

Even though Pattern admits that 97% of Molokai residents oppose “Big” Wind, it continues to push for the project, ignoring community wishes and requests, and stating it has a contract to fulfill, which is untrue.

HECO has also acted in bad faith in appearing with Pattern in public meetings and stating that two were working together.

This insane project, the huge turbines and undersea cable, has already cost U.S. taxpayers millions for a Programmatic EIS that has no relevance to Hawaii’s energy needs. The only beneficiary is the consulting company AECOM, which has received over $35 million of taxpayer dollars for such projects.

All Hawaiians should unite to kill this financial and engineering catastrophe before it drains our budgets and raises our electricity rates further, and tears Hawaii apart.

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Related: PUC Requires HECO to Reopen Molokai Windfarm Bidding